Draycote Report W/E 30th July 2023

Posted by & filed under Reports.

Weekly Fishing Report: Draycote, Eyebrook, Thornton

Visit our Fisheries Websites: www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk   www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk  www.flyfishthornton.co.uk

Online Shop: www.flyfishstore.co.uk      Tuition & Guiding: www.flyfishtuition.co.uk

Fishery YouTube Channel: YouTube Flyfishstore

Follow Us on our social media
Facebook www.facebook.com/FlyFishStore
Twitter www.twitter.com/FlyFishStore
Instagram www.instagram.com/flyfishstore/
   
Fisheries Opening Hours & Boat Session
Lodge & Bank Open: 7.30am – 9.00pm
Full Day Boat: 8.30am – 9.00pm
Morning Boat: 8.30am – 3.00pm
Afternoon Boat: 3.00pm – 9.00pm
Last 4 Hr: 5.15pm – 9.00pm
All Anglers Off Site: 9.15pm


Draycote Fishery Weekly Report – 01788 812018

Email:  draycote@flyfishstore.co.uk

2023 Stocking Policy Details of our stocking policy for Draycote is explained on our website www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us-2/stocking-policy/

2023 Membership Options visit our website www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us-2/season-permits/

2023 Permits & Pre Payment for Boat Bookings Details of our Day Permits, Package Breaks & our Boat bookings pre-payment policy visit our website.

https://www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/

Exclusion Zone  Due to the work being carried out on the Hensborough Bank there is an exclusion zone in place, clearly marked with yellow buoys. Under no circumstances are anglers to enter this area as there are divers in the water.

Week Ending:     30th July  2023      Rod Av: 4.73  Water Temperature: 16-17 °C

A wet start to the week with cool temperatures, although thankfully the rain did stop just after lunch. With the wind coming from the Southwest. Once again the good fishing continued and we had a good start to the week, with a rod average of 5.35. Once the rain stopped on the afternoon, a couple of bank anglers ventured out. Draycote member Paul Walley landed a brace from the Tower Bank. While Mr Finch Noyes who fished for the last four hours landed 3 fish, also from the Tower Bank on small grey minkies. Out on the boats Ian Richardson & Bob Smith caught fish on a washing line using crunchers on either a floater or midge tip. Kevin Rees once again fished dries with his favourite size 14 crippled midge once again taking fish ended the day on 13. Fellow member John Dickens landed 20 fish also on crippled midge drifting from the exclusion zone buoys towards M & N Buoy. Fishing for an afternoon Colin England & Andy Lille used daddies to great effect landing 18 fish, again drifting from the Draycote Dam out.

The wind swung Tuesday, into the Northwest with overcast skies for most of the day, cool overnight temperatures continued to drop the water temperature to a very trout friendly 16.5°C. On the bank Draycote member Jim Kelly used pheasant tailed nymphs to land 4 fish. Fellow member Richard Walker fished of the Tower Bank landing 3 fish on yellow owls. Mick Cronin fished at the Tower bank to land 7 fish on a midge of sedge’s and also daddies. With Stan Hillman fishing alongside Mick using pearly pheasant tails landing 8 fish. On the boats Lester Booth & Nigel Nixon boated 19 fish between them, using a mixture of dries. Finding their fish in Toft, with the afternoon being the best part of the day for the pair. Members Paul Walker & John Faulkonbridge used a washing line to great effect landing 22 fish to the boat drifting from A Buoy out towards Rainbow Corner. Geoff Allsop & Graham Wood landed 14 fish between them all on dries with F Flies and small daddies being the most productive patterns, and commented “on a great day” Trevor Moore fished with son Robert for the afternoon landed 14 fish with a washing line with Diawl Bachs on the droppers.

A bright start to Wednesday, with cloud arriving in the afternoon and bringing it with it some very heavy rain for the evening. The wind also swung back into the Southwest, after coming from the Northwest the day before. Draycote member Ian Reeve fished a morning boat landing 11 fish. Drifting from Rainbow Corner towards A Buoy either using daddies or a washing line with a tequila FAB on Diawl Bachs. Darn Nataly & Danny Lovegrove landed 21 fish on their boat, with he best area being around Y Buoy. The best tactic the pair found was a washing line, with a mixture of daddies, blobs and Daiwl Bachs. On either an intermediate line or a midge tip. Pete Eville landed 14 fish on dries drifting through the middle around N Buoy & Y Buoy using red bobs bits or a foam daddy. Mr Camm fishing his first of a 2 day break enjoyed a great day landing 16 fish, before the heavy rain set in around 7pm. Commenting that he caught fish everywhere he went from Rainbow Corner to Toft. Using a washing line set up with most of the fish taking the FAB on the point. With the best line being an intermediate when the sun came out and a midge tip in the afternoon when the cloud arrived. Another boat landing 16 fish was Steve Radcliffe and Mike Hill who fished daddies around Rainbow Corner to land their fish.

It was bright and sunny to start with here at Draycote with a light westerly breeze. Once again there is good sport to be had for all concerned. Concentrating your efforts in the top few feet of the water yields the best results but fish can be found at nearly any depth. Gordon Bramwell used a washing line with crunchers to net 15 fish from various areas around the reservoir. Eddie Mitchell and Dave Kennell used boobies, FAB’s and cormorants fished on Airflo’s very popular 12 foot slow tip line, and netted nearly 30 fish between them. The father and son pairing of Frazer Duffy senior and junior, used FAB’s and cormorants to net a bakers dozen during an afternoon session. Mr Dave Naylor and Mr Steve Houlton caught well over 20 fish for the day using hoppers and shipmans buzzers.

A great day Friday, with fantastic conditions overcast skies for most of the day with the occasional patch of sun and the wind coming from the Southwest. Draycote member Dave Smith fished on the boats landing 8 fish using a washing line at Rainbow Corner. With a FAB on the point and cormorants on the droppers and other small mini lures. Fellow member Paul Walker used a midge tip with a washing line of a FAB and Diawl Bachs to land 24 fish. Ian Richardson & Bob Smith landed 13 fish to their boat, drifting near J Buoy into the Farborough Dam wall. Using a mix of methods from dries to a washing line with crunchers on the droppers. Using dries all day John Dickens landed 14 fish with Grunters and Cripple Midge being his best patterns. Also, using dries all day Kevin Rees landed 18 fish all on size 14 crippled midge drifting from the Draycote Dam towards B Buoy. Fishery Manager Tom Bird also took to the water, taking advantage of a day off. Fishing a half day Tom landed 13 fish all taken on a washing line set up. With a FAB on the point 2 nymphs and a orange daddy on the top dropper. The best drift was from the exclusion zone buoys towards M Buoy, however, Tom also caught by J Buoy and also the Draycote Dam Wall.

Despite some heavy afternoon showers, Saturday turned out to be a great day to be out on Draycote Water. The bank anglers are doing well for the time of year with the odd brace here and there. Season permit holder Alan Grant had 3 fish off the Tower Bank on diawl bachs. Young Mike Garner caught a brace from Rainbow Corner using Bibios. Steve Proffitt caught 4 fish from the overflow on the Tower Bank on FAB’s and hares ears on a floating line. Andy Jordan, also fishing from the bank, netted 2 fish from Rainbow Corner on green holographic diawl bachs. Out on the boats Draycote stalwart Jon Crowley netted 11 fish drifting from M buoy to K buoy on orange foam daddies fished on a midge tip line. Scott Graham and Dave Reynolds had a bakers dozen between them using snakes fished on sinking lines. John Brown and Andy Campbell used similar tactics to net 6 apiece. Tim Burn had over 20 fish to the boat using flies such as daddies, FAB’s and snakes, drifting across the middle of the reservoir.

A slightly windy day Sunday, with a very wet afternoon with showers starting around 1pm and continuing for the afternoon. However, the anglers who fished the day enjoyed some more of the good sport that Draycote has been experiencing for most of July. On the bank Stan Hillman fished with Mark Parsley with the pair enjoying good sport. Using a popper minkie Stan landed 5 fish, while Mark used daddies to land 4 fish. On the boats Draycote member Richard Walker fished on a half day boat landing 9 fish. Fishing from near the outlet and the exclusion buoys. Using Big Red’s and foam daddies along with pulling a white muddler.  Neil Deakin & Martin Rowson fished around Rainbow Corner to A Buoy and then drifting off the exclusion zone buoys towards M. Landing 19 fish to the boat, using a washing line and also pulling snakes on a Di 3 sinking line. All water member Frazer Duffy Snr & Jnr used slow sinking midge tip with nymphs and blobs to land 24 fish. With the best area being around M Buoy drifting towards N Bouy.

Take A Friend Fishing 29th July to 3rd September 2023, a great opportunity to introduce a family member or friend to a Free days fly fishing. Your guest will share your permit with the availability of a free days rod licence.

Full details visit the website https://takeafriendfishing.co.uk/

The event is supported by the campaign partners Angling Trade Association & the Environment Agency

Competitions Due at Draycote:

John Horsey Wychwood Individual Fly Fishing Championship Individual Competition Sunday 20th August entry details https://flyfishingchampionships.uk/

Jim Watts Trophy Fly Dressers Guild 26th August.

Weather: we use two weather forecast pages.

Both options give a good 48 to 72 hour forecast.

XC Weather – Forecast for CV23 8AB | XCWeather use this link for Draycote

Windy App – https://www.windy.com/  on their home page, enter the fishery name Draycote Water +

Thornton Fishery Weekly Report – 01530 230807

Email: thornton@flyfishstore.co.uk

2023 Stocking Policy Details of our stocking policy for Eyebrook is explained on our website www.flyfishthornton.co.uk/about-us-2/stocking-policy/

2023 Permits & Pre Payment for Boat Bookings Details of our Day Permits, Package Breaks & our Boat bookings pre-payment policy visit our website.

https://www.flyfishthornton.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/

Week Ending: 30th July   Rod Av: 3.8   Water Temperature: 18c+ – 19c

Start of the week with a northerly wind and rain forecast led to a quiet day on the water. Only 1 rod member A Wilson took to the water, he caught 4 trout on an orange daddy & muddler but reported other fish coming short.

Tuesday, better forecast with all of our boats out for the morning session with some booked for the afternoon & evening. Water clarity remains good. Barry Deeley fished the morning session catching 10, successful method was fast sinker & booby or floating line and claret hopper. Claret hopper, orange daddy, natural daddy, crunchers & #14 diawl bach & damsel patterns were excellent patterns on the day. Alan Wither & Rob Keeber fished the day session catching 26 trout drifting across the main basin. For the afternoon & last 4 hour session proved to be successful with anglers reporting seeing trout, Max Bazeley caught 4, B Morris caught 3 with Greg Weatherdon catching 5. Good days fishing with a 4.3 rod average.

Wednesday bright start to the day with cloud expected & rain forecast from the late afternoon. It proved to be a more challenging day than expected with trout taking short or trout lost while playing them. Fish were caught on fast sinkers, tip lines & floaters with olive or red booby, blob, orange daddy & natural daddy with Ian Leach top rod with his 5 trout.

Thursday, rainfall during the evening has raised the level a little, but water clarity remains good. Richard Dayman fished a morning session catching 13 on a floating line & small #12 #14 fabs, Mick Huffer also fished the morning session with claret buzzers catching 6. J Scott fished a 6ft tip line with size #14 #16 flashback hares ear & small booby hares ear along the stone bank & into the mouth of the Markfield arm catching 13 trout. Jim Brown fished the last 4 hours using a small hares ear to catch his 2 trout.

Friday humid morning with the breeze back into a south westerly. Busy day with boat fishing the morning, afternoon & last 4hr. Some rods found a fast sinker & a red or damsel booby worked best during the morning with the afternoon & last 4hr rods using daddies, claret hoppers, damsel patterns & cdc. The main basin from the dam down towards the Markfield arm fished best, although we did during the day see a good number of fish opposite the lodge in the Thornton arm, Chris Sayer caught 8 for his mornings session with Swinfield & Zeleny also fishing the morning boating 7 trout to booby patterns with Trev & Nev fishing the last 4 hours catching 6 to claret hopper.

Saturday & an excellent days fishing with midge tip & longer tip lines & floating lines best method with daddies, shipmans, cdc & damsel patterns. Best area continues to be from the dam across the main basin down to the lonesome pine, we continue to see fish moving opposite the lodge. Morning & afternoon continues to produce with the last 4hr session also fishing. B Sibley & M Clay caught 10 for their mornings on a diawl bach. B Perrie caught 9 on a shipmans & orange fab with Mark Hunt fishing cdc & daddy patterns to catch 13. Barry & Mapp on their first visit to Thornton caught 21 on damsel & buzzer patterns. Last 4hr Mr Gee caught 11 trout to 4lb on a washing line.

Sunday a quieter day due to the forecast, but what a day with the best fishing of the week. T long fished the morning session catching 16, P Hunt & J Thomson also fished the morning boating 10 trout on a small fab, diawl bach & buzzer with J Parnham fishing the afternoon & evening catching 11 trout

This coming week. Looking at our local weather forecast its good summer fishing conditions, cooler air temperatures 18c to 19c, cloud breezy conditions & light rain at times, are excellent for fishing as we move into August.

Take A Friend Fishing 29th July to 3rd September 2023, a great opportunity to introduce a family member or friend to a Free days fly fishing. Your guest will share your permit with the availability of a free days rod licence.

Full details visit the website https://takeafriendfishing.co.uk/

The event is supported by the campaign partners Angling Trade Association & the Environment Agency

Weather: we use two weather forecast pages.

Both options give a good 48 to 72 hour forecast.

XC Weather – https://www.xcweather.co.uk/forecast/LE67_1AR use this link for Thornton.

Windy App – https://www.windy.com/  on their home page, enter the fishery name Thornton Reservoir

Eyebrook Fishery Weekly Report 

Lodge – 01536 770264 & Fishery Mobile 07834581424

Email: eyebrook@flyfishstore.co.uk

2023 Stocking Policy Details of our stocking policy for Eyebrook is explained on our website

www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk/about-us-2/stocking-policy/

2023 Membership options visit our website www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk/about-us-2/season-permits/

2023 Permits & Pre Payment for Boat Bookings Details of our Day Permits, Package Breaks & our Boat bookings pre-payment policy visit our website.

https://www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/

Week Ending: 23rd July   Rod Av: 2.8         Water Temperature: 18°c

It was a damp, wet start to the week with light rain developing into heavy showers. By early afternoon the heavy cloud gave way to bright sunshine. There had been an 180° change in the wind direction from previous day which, as expected, made the fishing somewhat challenging as the fish adjusted to the prevailing conditions. Fish were caught in the upper layers on a washing lined tip or floating line. Those that caught better, caught in the Main Basin & had colour somewhere on their cast, be that a small blob booby or FAB on the point or as a top dropper. Most the fish caught today, were caught on the colour.

Tuesday brought with it some good cloud cover & a light North Westerly breeze. Locating fish remained a challenge today with most anglers catching, but not in high numbers. All Water Member Ed Douglas produced a bag of 7 fish which was excellent on the day. Ed caught most of his on Dries from the area of the Main Basin as far down as Robbo’s Cabin frontage. Others to catch on Dries included Mark Goodge & Shaun Higgins who had 3 each on CDC emerging patterns, again from the Main Basin. Another area that held fish was the Dam wall which is where Brian White landed 4 fish on a Green Fritz pattern. Another to catch from the Dam wall was All Water Member Jim Greasley who caught 2 on a Black Shipmans from the Bank.

Wednesday saw another change in the wind direction with yesterday’s North westerly making way to light to moderate Southerly. There were some good consistent overcast skies early on & some sunny intervals later in the day. The reservoir fished very well to the dries with excellent bags for All Water Member Ed Douglas & Draycote Rio Master’s Team member Martin Rowson. Ed landed 17 fish, most of which fell to the Dries with CDC Shuttlecocks & Bob’s Bits being his most successful patterns. Whereas Martin, used CDC Hares Ear patterns to land his 15 fish. The key for both anglers was to remain mobile, conducting long drifts across the Main Basin with the water past Robbo’s holding a lot of fish. Elsewhere, the washing lined floating lines also took a few for other anglers but it has been imperative is to fish this as high as possible in the water. To achieve this the use of a booby on the point helps as it has more foam than a FAB & you can also use a buoyant fly on the top dropper to help keep those flies as high as possible.

Thursday’s weather followed a similar pattern to Wednesdays with the only difference being that the wind increased to a moderate to strong during some parts of the day. The fish remained high in the water column & were caught again on Dries, with All-Water member Mark Hunt landing 8 on CDC Yellow Owls. The Washing line again produced fish with another All-Water member, Norman Perkins landing 5 on Blue Flash Damsel Booby. During the warmer parts of the day, it is noticeable the number of Damsels hatching off. During these periods, the Blue Foam Daddy continues to take fish. The common mistake that anglers are making with the Blue Foam Daddy is fishing it when there is no Damsels hatching. Adult Damsels need to be prevalent for it to be effective.

Friday brought with it some very favourable conditions with a light to moderate west/south westerly winds & consistent cloud cover for most of the day. It was a very busy day with all the boats out & after fishing well in the morning, & still holding a lot of fish, the Main Basin became very challenging by early afternoon. This was more than likely due to angling pressure with a lot of boats fishing in a relatively small area. It paid dividends to ensure that when drifting you had clear water in front of you & that you did not follow a boat down a drift. Another thing that we can do when an area becomes pressurised is to extract yourself from the middle of the pack & drift along the outside of the main body of boats. Fish when pressurised will either stay & become finicky or move to an area where there is still food but less boats, normally the extremities of the main body. This becomes even more evident when the fish are high up in the water column as boats moving cause disturbance. Despite this, the reservoir fished relatively well, with some good returns recorded. Fishing Dries continued to be a very productive method, as did the Washing Line. Fishery Guide Lee Henfrey took to the water on his day off & landed 9 fish on Tan Foam Daddies. All Water Members Ed Douglas & Mark Hunt both enjoyed productive but challenging days on the Dries, landing 11 & 10 fish respectively from various locations.

Saturday initially saw the wind increase slightly which brought with it some periods of extended sunshine. By the afternoon Eyebrook was subjected to strong winds & bright sunshine which is never a great combination.  Saturday also saw Eyebrook host AMFC Group 1 for their latest round which saw 36 anglers take to the water catching 109 fish between them, producing a rod average of 3.02. The was a great rod average given the conditions & testament to the quality of anglers on show. Well done to all. Most of the fish were caught on the Dries, with CDC’s proving to be the most productive. Elsewhere, Eyebrook Member Dean Shilton took to his Float Tube & landed 8 fish fishing deep with Minkie Boobies.

Sunday was another blustery day which by late afternoon it had also become very wet. Those that did venture out found the fishing to be very challenging & there was very few fish caught. During these challenging days & when the fish are pressurised, it can sometimes pay to explore other locations. Earlier in the week fishery Staff Martin Blakeston popped out for a couple hours on his day off. Martin chose to fish CDC’s in the area of the Chestnut & was rewarded with a few cracking fish. So when it is challenging, explore the Reservoir, you may well be surprised where you find fish.

Take A Friend Fishing 29th July to 3rd September 2023, a great opportunity to introduce a family member or friend to a Free days fly fishing. Your guest will share your permit with the availability of a free days rod licence.

Full details visit the website https://takeafriendfishing.co.uk/

The event is supported by the campaign partners Angling Trade Association & the Environment Agency

Upcoming Events

02 August – England Disabled Fly Fishers, 9 Boats + 2 WB’s

03 August – England Fly Fishing Association, 22 Boats.

Weather: we use two weather forecast pages.

Both options give a good 48-to-72-hour forecast.

XC Weather – https://www.xcweather.co.uk/forecast/LE16_8RP use this link for Eyebrook.

Windy App – https://www.windy.com/  on their home page, enter the fishery name Eyebrook Reservoir.

Draycote Water Fishing Report Saturday 29th July 2023

Posted by & filed under Reports.

Despite some heavy afternoon showers, Saturday was a great day to be out on Draycote Water. The bank anglers are doing well for the time of year, catching the odd brace here and there. Season permit holder Alan Grant had 3 fish off the Tower Bank on diawl bachs. Young Mike Garner caught a brace from Rainbow Corner using Bibios. Steve Proffitt caught 4 fish from the overflow on the Tower Bank on FAB’s and hares ears on a floating line. Andy Jordan, also fishing from the bank, netted 2 fish from Rainbow Corner on green holographic diawl bachs. Out on the boats Draycote stalwart Jon Crowley netted 11 fish drifting from M buoy to K buoy on orange foam daddies fished on a midge tip line. Scott Graham and Dave Reynolds had a bakers dozen between them using snakes fished on sinking lines. John Brown and Andy Campbell used similar tactics to net 6 apiece. Tim Burn had over 20 fish to the boat using flies such as daddies, FAB’s and snakes, drifting across the middle of the reservoir.

Draycote Daily Report Friday 28th July

Posted by & filed under Reports.

Fishing Report: Draycote

Visit our Fisheries Websites: www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk   www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk  www.flyfishthornton.co.uk

Online Shop: www.flyfishstore.co.uk      Tuition & Guiding: www.flyfishtuition.co.uk

Fishery YouTube Channel: YouTube Flyfishstore

Follow Us on our social media
Facebook www.facebook.com/FlyFishStore
Twitter www.twitter.com/FlyFishStore
Instagram www.instagram.com/flyfishstore/
   
Fisheries Opening Hours & Boat Session
Lodge & Bank Open: 7.30am – 9.15pm
Full Day Boat: 8.30am – 9.15pm
Morning Boat: 8.30am – 3.00pm
Afternoon Boat: 3.00pm – 9.15pm
Last 4 Hr: 5.15pm – 9.15pm
All Anglers Off Site: 9.30pm


Draycote Fishery Weekly Report – 01788 812018

Email:  draycote@flyfishstore.co.uk

2023 Stocking Policy Details of our stocking policy for Draycote is explained on our website www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us-2/stocking-policy/

2023 Membership Options visit our website www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us-2/season-permits/

2023 Permits & Pre Payment for Boat Bookings Details of our Day Permits, Package Breaks & our Boat bookings pre-payment policy visit our website.

https://www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/

Exclusion Zone  Due to the work being carried out on the Hensborough Bank there is an exclusion zone in place, clearly marked with yellow buoys. Under no circumstances are anglers to enter this area as there are divers in the water.

Friday 28th July 2023       Rod Av: 5.35       Water Temperature: 17 °C

A great day Friday, with fantastic conditions overcast skies for most of the day with the occasional patch of sun and the wind coming from the Southwest. Draycote member Dave Smith fished on the boats landing 8 fish using a washing line at Rainbow Corner. With a FAB on the point and cormorants on the droppers and other small mini lures. Fellow member Paul Walker used a midge tip with a washing line of a FAB and Diawl Bachs to land 24 fish. Ian Richardson & Bob Smith landed 13 fish to their boat, drifting near J Buoy into the Farborough Dam wall. Using a mix of methods from dries to a washing line with crunchers on the droppers. Using dries all day John Dickens landed 14 fish with Grunters and Cripple Midge being his best patterns. Also, using dries all day Kevin Rees landed 18 fish all on size 14 crippled midge drifting from the Draycote Dam towards B Buoy. Fishery Manager Tom Bird also took to the water, taking advantage of a day off. Fishing a half day Tom landed 13 fish all taken on a washing line set up. With a FAB on the point 2 nymphs and a orange daddy on the top dropper. The best drift was from the exclusion zone buoys towards M Buoy, however, Tom also caught by J Buoy and also the Draycote Dam Wall.

Competitions Due at Draycote:

John Horsey Wychwood Individual Fly Fishing Championship Individual Competition Sunday 20th August entry details https://flyfishingchampionships.uk/

Jim Watts Trophy Fly Dressers Guild 26th August.

Weather: we use two weather forecast pages.

Both options give a good 48 to 72 hour forecast.

XC Weather – Forecast for CV23 8AB | XCWeather use this link for Draycote

Windy App – https://www.windy.com/  on their home page, enter the fishery name Draycote Water

Draycote Water fishing report Thursday 27th July 2023

Posted by & filed under Reports.

It was bright and sunny to start with here at Draycote with a light westerly breeze. Once again there is good sport to be had for all concerned. Concentrating your efforts in the top few feet of the water yields the best results but fish can be found at nearly any depth. Gordon Bramwell used a washing line with crunchers to net 15 fish from various areas around the reservoir. Eddie Mitchell and Dave Kennell used boobies, FAB’s and cormorants fished on Airflo’s very popular 12 foot slow tip line, and netted nearly 30 fish between them. The father and son pairing of Frazer Duffy senior and junior, used FAB’s and cormorants to net a bakers dozen during an afternoon session. Mr Dave Naylor and Mr Steve Houlton caught well over 20 fish for the day using hoppers and shipmans buzzers.

Draycote Daily Report Wednesday 27th July 2023

Posted by & filed under Reports.

Fishing Report: Draycote

Visit our Fisheries Websites: www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk   www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk  www.flyfishthornton.co.uk

Online Shop: www.flyfishstore.co.uk      Tuition & Guiding: www.flyfishtuition.co.uk

Fishery YouTube Channel: YouTube Flyfishstore

Follow Us on our social media
Facebook www.facebook.com/FlyFishStore
Twitter www.twitter.com/FlyFishStore
Instagram www.instagram.com/flyfishstore/
Fisheries Opening Hours & Boat Session
Lodge & Bank Open: 7.30am – 9.15pm
Full Day Boat: 8.30am – 9.15pm
Morning Boat: 8.30am – 3.00pm
Afternoon Boat: 3.00pm – 9.15pm
Last 4 Hr: 5.15pm – 9.15pm
All Anglers Off Site: 9.30pm


Draycote Fishery Weekly Report – 01788 812018

Email:  draycote@flyfishstore.co.uk

2023 Stocking Policy Details of our stocking policy for Draycote is explained on our website www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us-2/stocking-policy/

2023 Membership Options visit our website www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us-2/season-permits/

2023 Permits & Pre Payment for Boat Bookings Details of our Day Permits, Package Breaks & our Boat bookings pre-payment policy visit our website.

Wednesday 26th July 2023        Rod Av: 6.33          Water Temperature: 16.5 °C

A bright start to Wednesday, with cloud arriving in the afternoon and bringing it with it some very heavy rain for the evening. The wind also swung back into the Southwest, after coming from the Northwest the day before. Draycote member Ian Reeve fished a morning boat landing 11 fish. Drifting from Rainbow Corner towards A Buoy either using daddies or a washing line with a tequila FAB on Diawl Bachs. Darn Nataly & Danny Lovegrove landed 21 fish on their boat, with he best area being around Y Buoy. The best tactic the pair found was a washing line, with a mixture of daddies, blobs and Daiwl Bachs. On either an intermediate line or a midge tip. Pete Eville landed 14 fish on dries drifting through the middle around N Buoy & Y Buoy using red bobs bits or a foam daddy. Mr Camm fishing his first of a 2 day break enjoyed a great day landing 16 fish, before the heavy rain set in around 7pm. Commenting that he caught fish everywhere he went from Rainbow Corner to Toft. Using a washing line set up with most of the fish taking the FAB on the point. With the best line being an intermediate when the sun came out and a midge tip in the afternoon when the cloud arrived. Another boat landing 16 fish was Steve Radcliffe and Mike Hill who fished daddies around Rainbow Corner to land their fish.

Competitions Due at Draycote:

John Horsey Wychwood Individual Fly Fishing Championship Individual Competition Sunday 20th August entry details https://flyfishingchampionships.uk/

Jim Watts Trophy Fly Dressers Guild 26th August.

Weather: we use two weather forecast pages.

Both options give a good 48 to 72 hour forecast.

XC Weather – Forecast for CV23 8AB | XCWeather use this link for Draycote

Windy App – https://www.windy.com/  on their home page, enter the fishery name Draycote Water

Draycote Daily Report Tuesday 25th July 2023

Posted by & filed under Reports.

 Fishing Report: Draycote

Visit our Fisheries Websites: www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk   www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk  www.flyfishthornton.co.uk

Online Shop: www.flyfishstore.co.uk      Tuition & Guiding: www.flyfishtuition.co.uk

Fishery YouTube Channel: YouTube Flyfishstore

Follow Us on our social media
Facebook www.facebook.com/FlyFishStore
Twitter www.twitter.com/FlyFishStore
Instagram www.instagram.com/flyfishstore/
   
Fisheries Opening Hours & Boat Session
Lodge & Bank Open: 7.30am – 9.15pm
Full Day Boat: 8.30am – 9.15pm
Morning Boat: 8.30am – 3.00pm
Afternoon Boat: 3.00pm – 9.15pm
Last 4 Hr: 5.15pm – 9.15pm
All Anglers Off Site: 9.30pm


Draycote Fishery Weekly Report – 01788 812018

Email:  draycote@flyfishstore.co.uk

2023 Stocking Policy Details of our stocking policy for Draycote is explained on our website www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us-2/stocking-policy/

2023 Membership Options visit our website www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us-2/season-permits/

2023 Permits & Pre Payment for Boat Bookings Details of our Day Permits, Package Breaks & our Boat bookings pre-payment policy visit our website.

https://www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/

Exclusion Zone  Due to the work being carried out on the Hensborough Bank there is an exclusion zone in place, clearly marked with yellow buoys. Under no circumstances are anglers to enter this area as there are divers in the water.

Tuesday 25th July 2023     Rod Av: 3.54  Water Temperature: 16°C

The wind swung Tuesday, into the Northwest with overcast skies for most of the day, cool overnight temperatures continued to drop the water temperature to a very trout friendly 16.5°C. On the bank Draycote member Jim Kelly used pheasant tailed nymphs to land 4 fish. Fellow member Richard Walker fished of the Tower Bank landing 3 fish on yellow owls. Mick Cronin fished at the Tower bank to land 7 fish on a midge of sedge’s and also daddies. With Stan Hillman fishing alongside Mick using pearly pheasant tails landing 8 fish. On the boats Lester Booth & Nigel Nixon boated 19 fish between them, using a mixture of dries. Finding their fish in Toft, with the afternoon being the best part of the day for the pair. Members Paul Walker & John Falconbridge used a washing line to great effect landing 22 fish to the boat drifting from A Buoy out towards Rainbow Corner. Geoff Allsop & Graham Wood landed 14 fish between them all on dries with F Flies and small daddies being the most productive patterns, and commented “on a great day” Trevor Moore fished with son Robert for the afternoon landed 14 fish with a washing line with Diawl Bachs on the droppers.

Draycote Daily Report Monday 24th July 2023

Posted by & filed under Reports.

Daily Fishing Report: Draycote

Visit our Fisheries Websites: www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk   www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk  www.flyfishthornton.co.uk

Online Shop: www.flyfishstore.co.uk      Tuition & Guiding: www.flyfishtuition.co.uk

Fishery YouTube Channel: YouTube Flyfishstore

Follow Us on our social media
Facebook www.facebook.com/FlyFishStore
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Fisheries Opening Hours & Boat Session
Lodge & Bank Open: 7.30am – 9.15pm
Full Day Boat: 8.30am – 9.15pm
Morning Boat: 8.30am – 3.00pm
Afternoon Boat: 3.00pm – 9.15pm
Last 4 Hr: 5.15pm – 9.15pm
All Anglers Off Site: 9.30pm


Draycote Fishery Weekly Report – 01788 812018

Email:  draycote@flyfishstore.co.uk

2023 Stocking Policy Details of our stocking policy for Draycote is explained on our website www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us-2/stocking-policy/

2023 Membership Options visit our website www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us-2/season-permits/

2023 Permits & Pre Payment for Boat Bookings Details of our Day Permits, Package Breaks & our Boat bookings pre-payment policy visit our website.

https://www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/

Exclusion Zone  Due to the work being carried out on the Hensborough Bank there is an exclusion zone in place, clearly marked with yellow buoys. Under no circumstances are anglers to enter this area as there are divers in the water.

Week Ending:     30th July  2023      Rod Av: 5.35  Water Temperature: 16.5 °C

A wet start to the week with cool temperatures, although thankfully the rain did stop just after lunch. With the wind coming from the Southwest. Once again the good fishing continued and we had a good start to the week, with a rod average of 5.35. Once the rain stopped on the afternoon, a couple of bank anglers ventured out. Draycote member Paul Walley landed a brace from the Tower Bank. While Mr Finch Noyes who fished for the last four hours landed 3 fish, also from the Tower Bank on small grey minkies. Out on the boats Ian Richardson & Bob Smith caught fish on a washing line using crunchers on either a floater or midge tip. Kevin Rees once again fished dries with his favourite size 14 crippled midge once again taking fish ended the day on 13. Fellow member John Dickens landed 20 fish also on crippled midge drifting from the exclusion zone buoys towards M & N Buoy. Fishing for an afternoon Colin England & Andy Lille used daddies to great effect landing 18 fish, again drifting from the Draycote Dam out.

Competitions Due at Draycote:

John Horsey Wychwood Individual Fly Fishing Championship Individual Competition Sunday 20th August entry details https://flyfishingchampionships.uk/

Jim Watts Trophy Fly Dressers Guild 26th August.

Weather: we use two weather forecast pages.

Both options give a good 48 to 72 hour forecast.

XC Weather – Forecast for CV23 8AB | XCWeather use this link for Draycote

Windy App – https://www.windy.com/  on their home page, enter the fishery name Draycote Water

Draycote Water Fishing Report w/e Sunday 23rd July 2023

Posted by & filed under Reports.

Weekly Fishing Report: Draycote, Eyebrook, Thornton

Visit our Fisheries Websites: www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk   www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk  www.flyfishthornton.co.uk

Online Shop: www.flyfishstore.co.uk      Tuition & Guiding: www.flyfishtuition.co.uk

Fishery YouTube Channel: YouTube Flyfishstore

Follow Us on our social media
Facebook www.facebook.com/FlyFishStore
Twitter www.twitter.com/FlyFishStore
Instagram www.instagram.com/flyfishstore/
   
Fisheries Opening Hours & Boat Session
Lodge & Bank Open: 7.30am – 9.15pm
Full Day Boat: 8.30am – 9.15pm
Morning Boat: 8.30am – 3.00pm
Afternoon Boat: 3.00pm – 9.15pm
Last 4 Hr: 5.15pm – 9.15pm
All Anglers Off Site: 9.30pm


Draycote Fishery Weekly Report – 01788 812018

Email:  draycote@flyfishstore.co.uk

 

2023 Stocking Policy Details of our stocking policy for Draycote is explained on our website www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us-2/stocking-policy/

 

2023 Membership Options visit our website www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us-2/season-permits/

 

2023 Permits & Pre Payment for Boat Bookings Details of our Day Permits, Package Breaks & our Boat bookings pre-payment policy visit our website.

https://www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/

 

Exclusion Zone  Due to the work being carried out on the Hensborough Bank there is an exclusion zone in place, clearly marked with yellow buoys. Under no circumstances are anglers to enter this area as there are divers in the water.

Week Ending:     23rd July  2023      Rod Av: 5.5  Water Temperature: 17 °C

A sunny start to the week, with the cloud rolling in just after lunch with some heavy showers at times. It was a good start to the week, with the good sport continuing. Draycote member John Dickens landed 14 fish all on dries. On a mixture of Daddies and also F Flies, drifting around the Draycote Dam heading towards B Buoy and also Rainbow Corner to A. Another angler who landed 14 fish was Craig Brandson, who also used daddies, however, also found the fish willing to take boobies pulled across the surface. Keeping the dry fly theme going, Kit Doleman landed a dozen fish on daddies and Bob’s Bits. Taking advantage of one of our three day breaks Kevin Levell from Scotland, fished his 2nd day after fishing Eyebrook the day before. Kevin, fished a washing line to take 7 fish before his last 4 fell to a snake fished on a Di 3 sinking line. David Stott landed 24 fish using dries before changing to small black lures with Viva’s and cormorants taking the majority of his fish.

A change of wind Tuesday, with the wind starting very light from the Southeast, though did go to the Northwest in the afternoon teamed with a rain shower. Before finishing the day back in the Southwest. Once again the anglers enjoyed the good sport that Draycote is experiencing, helped by the cooler July temperatures. All water member Andy Lillie landed a dozen fish from a morning session, landing his first 2 from near the Inlet. Commenting that there was fish moving all over Rainbow Corner but they wouldn’t take his dries. He then moved down near J Buoy to take his other 10 in the last hour. Using a washing line with a Ham & Cheese FAB on the point and then nymphs on the droppers. Draycote members Martin Foster & John Vyse boated 17 fish, drifting around A, M & K Buoy. Either fishing dries or a washing line to tempt the fish. Tim Grove starting his first day or a 3 day break landed a dozen fish. Tim, fished around the Farborough Dam to take most of his fish on either Yellow Owls or a washing line.  All water member Norman Perkins fished at Rainbow Corner to land 13 fish in a half day. With an orange daddy and a green suspender buzzer his top pattern. Paul Davison & Tony Baldwin landed over 30 fish to the boat all on dries with Paul on Midas and Tony on a mixture of dries. Kevin Rees also fished dries to land 37 fish, with crippled midge being his best pattern. With his best area being off the exclusion buoys drifting towards M & N Buoy.

Early heavy showers did not deter the fishermen or the fishing on Wednesday. Once again there is some fantastic sport to be had generally over the deeper water using practically any method at the moment. Dries are working well, as are nymphs fished on a floater, midge tip or an intermediate line. Regular visitor Paul Walker used these very tactics to net a grand total of 19 fish.  The bank seems to be fishing quite well of late with young Mick Cronin catching 10 fish in total. Mick has been regularly fishing both in Rainbow Corner and off The Tower Bank over the past couple of weeks and had reasonable success on foam daddies . Fishery staff member Lee Henfrey ventured out for a couple of hours through the middle of the day and caught a dozen fish, on hoppers, boobies and diawl bachs.

Wonderful calm conditions greeted us on Thursday morning here at Draycote, with a good head of fish rising around the pontoon as we were preparing the boats. It proved a busy day with good returns alround. Ed Douglas had a good day on the dries, netting 19 on crippled midge and the F fly. Simon Ringer had 4 fish to the boat using orange foam daddies. Season permit holder Paul Havard used the washing line technique off a floating line, with black nymphs and a tequila booby. Paul plied his trade around the overflow as well as drifting between Y and M buoy . Bob Askew used a slow intermediate line with black crunchers and a blob on the point to net 9 fish whilst drifting over the open water. Peter Elliott netted 14 fish from a drifting boat on bob’s bits in sizes 12 and 14.

Once again here we are in July with almost perfect conditions for fishing on Friday. The surface water temperature is at 17 degrees and with good cloud cover, the fish are holding in the top few feet of the water. In general, dries are working quite well, but dropping down onto a midge tip line or a slow intermediate, either with nymphs, or a couple of claret hoppers, has produced good returns for some of our visitors. Season permit holder Alan Grant took to the bank to net 5 fish near the Valve Tower. Alan used a slow intermediate line and candy FAB’s. Young Ian Reeve and Colin Grainger had well over 20 fish to the boat between them on a variety of patterns such as tequila boobies, diawl bachs and dries. Ian Richardson remarked on “A Good Day”, after netting 10 fish from a drifting boat. Ian drifted from Y to M buoy as well as fishing near the Tower using a DI3 line and a tequila booby. Season permit holder Mark Hunt  ended the day with 16 fish to the boat. Mark targeted the fry feeders in the morning with floating fry patterns, before drifting the main basin on yellow owls through the afternoon.

Light showers accompanied us as we prepared the boats on Saturday morning and these continued throughout the day. Season permit holder Jon Crowley had a dozen fish to the boat during a morning session using a variety of flies such as muskins and foam daddies. Jon fished mostly around K buoy and the front of the out of bounds markers on the Hensborough Bank. Sue and Neil Potts had over 20 fish to the boat between them. They used the washing line technique with FAB’s and diawl bachs and fished M buoy in the morning, before moving in to Rainbow Corner for the afternoon. Mr M Clayton and Mr E Croote had a good number of fish to the boat, well over 20, on hoppers, crippled midge and blobs.

Sunday morning saw us bailing a lot of water out of the boat after some heavy overnight showers. The day itself was forecast for more rain which just never appeared. Once again Draycote was in great form with the daily rod average coming out at 8.4. Regulars Martin Rowson and Neil Deakin put 2 dozen fish in the boat and were off home by early afternoon. Tim Davies and Chris Pallot had 15 fish to the boat during a morning session using dry fly tactics in Rainbow Corner. Season permit holder Paul Mitchell and Tim Burn had well over 30 fish to the boat between them using foam daddies and FAB’s. Neil Tomkins and Chris Pyke had 26 fish to the boat on the second day of their visit using various top of the water tactics. Staff member Kevin Jones caught half a dozen fish during a morning session using dries at first, before switching to snakes on a DI3 line. Season permit holder Alan Grant ventured out onto the bank to net 3 fish near the Valve Tower.

Competitions Due at Draycote:

John Horsey Wychwood Individual Fly Fishing Championship Individual Competition Sunday 20th August entry details https://flyfishingchampionships.uk/

Jim Watts Trophy Fly Dressers Guild 26th August.

Weather: we use two weather forecast pages.

Both options give a good 48 to 72 hour forecast.

XC Weather – Forecast for CV23 8AB | XCWeather use this link for Draycote

Windy App – https://www.windy.com/  on their home page, enter the fishery name Draycote Water +

Thornton Fishery Weekly Report – 01530 230807

Email: thornton@flyfishstore.co.uk

2023 Stocking Policy Details of our stocking policy for Eyebrook is explained on our website www.flyfishthornton.co.uk/about-us-2/stocking-policy/

 

2023 Permits & Pre Payment for Boat Bookings Details of our Day Permits, Package Breaks & our Boat bookings pre-payment policy visit our website.

https://www.flyfishthornton.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/

Week Ending: 23rd July   Rod Av: 3.1    Water Temperature: 18c+ – 19c

Monday cooler conditions & we saw at times fish moving on the surface. Andy Lilley & G England caught 20 trout for their mornings visit on a midge tip & Airflo 5ft tip lines with small Fab & diawl bach fishing across the main basin, however catching most drifting down the middle of the Markfield arm. Lindsay Bates & R Keeber caught 11 on crunchers & damsel they found the best of the sport to a floating line during late afternoon onwards.

Tuesday with the continued cooler summer forecast with cloud & light rain its ideal conditions for July fly fishing. Most of the trout were caught on floating, tip & intermediate lines with fish to be seen at times, middle of the Thornton arm, across the main basin to the stones, dam & into the Markfield arm. Martin Hosking fished Green bay fishing various patterns to land 4 trout, Arthur Olding fished a floating line with a #10 short shank unweighted cats whisker with Steve Windram catching 9 on a black hopper & small yellow fab. Anglers reported missed offers and trout lost while playing them. Good to see for the 2nd evening fish moving during the evening.

Wednesday, overcast morning with light rain, our surface water temperature is 18c+ and we could see fish moving opposite the lodge. Quiet day only a couple of boats out but good to see them all catching on floating, midge tip & various tip lines with black hoppers, diawl bach & small fabs with the majority caught in the Thornton arm.

Thursday, a busy day with all of the boats out for the morning sessions with some boats rebooked for the afternoon & last 4 hour session. Mick Miller & R Smith caught 9 for their mornings visit with claret hopper, claret suspender & shipman’s patterns. Tim Russell & Ron Rudge last fished Thornton 35 years ago, they fished the morning session with black or claret hoppers and shipman’s to boat 18 trout. Member B Deeley caught 8 for his mornings session with a DI5 and booby and a midge tip with suspenders, while Keith Hampton fished the morning catching 7 on a floater & hopper to a fast sink and booby. It was good to see rods out for the afternoon and evening session, all reported a good rise, hooking and losing fish with J Parnham top rod for the evening boating 4

Friday and again most rods fished the cooler morning session, Mr & Mrs Warren caught 6, Dave Mee caught 4 on buzzers with C Sayer catching 11 on an olive booby. Plenty of fish moving at times from the Thornton arm across the main basin to the stones & dam wall across to the Markfield arm.

Saturday with the forecast for rain and wind we had few bo ats out. The anglers who did go out in the rain reported seeing fish moving, which I wasn’t surprised as martins and swallows were down on the water feeding all day. Lots of typical small / tiny buzzers hatching but a few of the larger #10 #12 claret buzzers which we expect to see in mid August were also on the water. Best patterns, daddy longlegs, claret hopper or shipmans on a floater with Jan Webber catching his 7 trout on a DI3 with damsel booby patterns. M Clay caught 5 from the orange buoy area with Mark Hunt fishing from 1pm to 6pm catching 8 on the drift.

Sunday, despite the rain our water clarity is good with more rain showers in the forecast its cooler air temperatures and were seeing fish feeding off the surface from when we opened. Ian Leach and J Gascoye caught 8 for their mornings visit with Dave Leavesley catching 6 for his mornings visit.

Dave Leavesley is chairman of the local angling club Thornton Fly Fishers who at 3pm hosted their annual mid summer social BBQ. They operate social events and competitions during the year with fly tying & guest speaker during the winter you can follow them on Facebook Thornton Fly Fishers. www.facebook.com/troutfishingclub

Current July weather, air temperature of 16c to 20c, rain and cloud is excellent for fly fishing, with an evening rise, last 4 hour been worth a visit especially on the cooler, cloudier evenings.

Eyebrook Fishery Weekly Report 

Lodge – 01536 770264 & Fishery Mobile 07834581424

Email: eyebrook@flyfishstore.co.uk

 

2023 Stocking Policy Details of our stocking policy for Eyebrook is explained on our website

www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk/about-us-2/stocking-policy/

 

2023 Membership options visit our website www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk/about-us-2/season-permits/

 

2023 Permits & Pre Payment for Boat Bookings Details of our Day Permits, Package Breaks & our Boat bookings pre-payment policy visit our website.

https://www.flyfisheyebrook.co.uk/about-us-2/day-permits/

Week Ending: 23rd July   Rod Av:  4.4        Water Temperature: 18°c

It was a blustery start to the week where the only consistency with the weather was its changeability, it was consistently changing.  Periods of showers, sunshine & cloud, with moderately gusty winds littered the day. Subsequently, some anglers struggled to locate fish with those catching finding the Main Basin to be the most productive area with the fish well spread. The most productive patterns were Foam Daddies & Damsel Nymphs. When searching open water for fish it is important to maintain a mobile approach by conducting long drifts initially & once fish are located, use shorter drifts to target those fish.

Tuesday started with a flat calm that developed into a gentle ripple with constant cloud cover. By late afternoon, the conditions seemed to be perfect for fishing the Dries. Out capitalising on these conditions was All Water Member Mark Hunt. Mark had decided to conduct long drifts across the open water of the Main Basin, targeting any moving fish & was duly rewarded with an excellent bag of 15 fish, most of which fell to Daddies. Elsewhere, Jude Tuffs took 12 fish on the washing line from various locations in the Main Basin, with her most productive pattern being a Candy FAB. Colin Hendry also had 12 fish from the general area of the Main Basin, catching on various methods & flies. Colin quoted a Size 14 Tequila FAB; Black Booby Hopper & a Midas has his flies that caught his fish. Another angler recording a great catch return was Eyebrook Member Bob Margery who landed 14 fish, 11 of which came in the morning. Bob found an Intermediate Line, with a couple of blobs & Nymphs on it, to be his most productive line. The fish throughout the Main Basin, appear to be very “poddy” at present with many small pods of fish circumnavigating the basin. Before the recent high winds, these pods were less in number but contained more fish, whereas after the winds there are more pods, containing less fish. To counter this, it is essential you cover as much water as possible by fishing on the drift & it could also pay dividends to have a bit of colour somewhere on your cast, be it a Blob or FAB, to act as an attractor.

Wednesday saw a dramatic change in the wind direction. The day started with a gentle southerly & by mid-morning it was a moderate north westerly. The wind change brought it some isolated breaks in the cloud which led to some isolated periods of sunshine. The warmer air temperatures in the afternoon led to an increase in the Adult Damsel activity & a good number of fish were caught on Blue Foam Daddies in the afternoon. When fishing the Blue Foam Daddy, it is important to wait until you see the adult Damsels hatching off & once there is an abundance, then fish them. The results can be spectacular. Other successful methods included Dries & the Washing Line fished on lines from anything from a Floater to an Intermediate. Those fishing the Washing Line found that a bit of colour in the form of a FAB or Blob Booby, either on the top dropper or the point, was essential to success with both patterns featuring high on the catch returns. There were some excellent returns with a lot of anglers catching well into double figures with the pick of those being regular Eyebrook visitor, Martin Rowson who landed well over 20 fish on Hoppers & Blue Damsel patterns. Martin maintained a mobile approach, covering a lot of water, with long drifts through the Main Basin. From the bank, another Eyebrook regular, George Burnham, had a productive Last 4 session, landing 3 fish, some of which were over 3lb. George also reported a good number of larger fish moving & he went on to lose a fish estimated at 6lb.

The windspeed on Thursday reduced dramatically which would prove to make locating fish somewhat more difficult than on previous days. Due to the lack of wind, a drifting boat does not cover as much distance over the water as it would being pushed along by a moderate breeze. This makes location even more important as you cannot rely upon the boat moving to feeding fish. Generally with less wind, the water is calmer & any fish that are feeding high up can be seen from some distance away. In these circumstances, it often pays to move the boat to the fish. When doing so, we must remember to do it as stealthily as possible & stop the boat at least a casts distance away from the feeding fish. Do not charge over to them & stop the boat right on top of them as more than likely they won’t be there. The Main Basin still produced a few fish for those fishing high up in the water column, either on a Washing Lined Floater or with Dries.

The Main Basin continued to fish well on Friday with some very good catch returns recorded. Fishery Guide Lee Henfrey, out on a pleasure day, had a very productive morning session landing over 30 fish between him & his boat partner. All Water Member Ian Jobe, also had a productive morning, taking to his Float Tube & landed well into double figures. Out practicing for a forthcoming competition Matt Nuttall, also had 30 fish to the boat, mainly from the Basin area. The biggest difference from the previous day was that there was a more substantial wind & anglers were able to cover more water when searching for the smaller pods in the Main Basin. Fish were caught on a variety of methods, Dries, Washing Line & even on Pulling tactics with a Fast Glass or Di 3 being the preferred lines of choice.

The weekend saw Eyebrook host Round 4 of the very popular 6 X 4 Team Competition, with Saturday being the official practice day & Sunday being competition day. There was contrasting weather for both days with Saturday being extremely damp & Sunday being mainly dry, with periods of heavy cloud cover with sunny intervals. The wind both days was a moderate Southerly. Saturday also saw Eyebrook members Bob Margery & Steve Lawrence take to the water on what was the one of the few non-competition boats out the day. Steve & Bob had a good day landing well into double figures. Those practicing were spread far & wide, searching for fish & honing methods for the following day. Although it soon became apparent that the Main Basin was holding a lot of fish. On Competition Day the Main Basin subsequently fished very well with 51 anglers catching 256 for a rod average of 5.0 with the some the better bags coming to Dries. Other productive methods included the very consistent washing line with colour on the point & nymphs above it.

Outside of the competition, Neil Shilton took to his Float Tube & landed 7 fish, fishing deep & slow & Malcolm Thompson took to the bank. Malcolm fished a Hares Ear CDC over the top of the weed down the Hawthorns & landed 5 fish which was an excellent session off the bank for this time of the year.

 

Upcoming Events

29 July – AMFFC Group 1, 18 boats.

02 August – England Disabled Fly Fishers, 9 Boats + 2 WB’s

03 August – England Fly Fishing Association, 22 Boats.

 

 

Draycote Fishing Report Saturday 22nd July 2023

Posted by & filed under Reports.

Light showers accompanied us as we prepared the boats on Saturday morning and these continued throughout the day. Season permit holder Jon Crowley had a dozen fish to the boat during a morning session using a variety of flies such as muskins and foam daddies. Jon fished mostly around K buoy and the front of the out of bounds markers on the Hensborough Bank. Sue and Neil Potts had over 20 fish to the boat between them. They used the washing line technique with FAB’s and diawl bachs and fished M buoy in the morning, before moving in to Rainbow Corner for the afternoon. Mr M Clayton and Mr E Croote had a good number of fish to the boat, well over 20, on hoppers, crippled midge and blobs.

Draycote Water Fishing Report for Friday 21st July 2023

Posted by & filed under Reports.

Once again here we are in July with almost perfect conditions for fishing on Friday. The surface water temperature is at 17 degrees and with good cloud cover, the fish are holding in the top few feet of the water. In general, dries are working quite well, but dropping down onto a midge tip line or a slow intermediate, either with nymphs, or a couple of claret hoppers, has produced good returns for some of our visitors. Season permit holder Alan Grant took to the bank to net 5 fish near the Valve Tower. Alan used a slow intermediate line and candy FAB’s. Young Ian Reeve and Colin Grainger had well over 20 fish to the boat between them on a variety of patterns such as tequila boobies, diawl bachs and dries. Ian Richardson remarked on “A Good Day”, after netting 10 fish from a drifting boat. Ian drifted from Y to M buoy as well as fishing near the Tower using a DI3 line and a tequila booby. Season permit holder Mark Hunt  ended the day with 16 fish to the boat. Mark targeted the fry feeders in the morning with floating fry patterns, before drifting the main basin on yellow owls through the afternoon.